tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8874229431445919402018-03-06T05:33:47.751-05:00Vintage Greenold houses, vintage design and green livingElissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16534639582575019778noreply@blogger.comBlogger121125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-887422943144591940.post-51374689489678192592018-02-04T15:51:00.000-05:002018-02-04T15:51:08.248-05:00Voila! (aka Holy Crap I finished a project!)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-naOk4rSLmT8/WndqQ9G9phI/AAAAAAAAB_8/ozTj4AdOv9Yx4SD1JLn7D14OfnAdOv9LACLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_1044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1055" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-naOk4rSLmT8/WndqQ9G9phI/AAAAAAAAB_8/ozTj4AdOv9Yx4SD1JLn7D14OfnAdOv9LACLcBGAs/s640/DSC_1044.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: left;">So we finished a project! And in a reasonable amount of time too! Though not a professionally styled Domino photo shoot, I think this looks pretty decent.&nbsp; Especially since it's such a gloomy day today and her room is tiny.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fF6p9HyeTgE/Wndtz5esEeI/AAAAAAAACAM/bzF17j1EWLw0385lc8DXUpjM6O01OsNSwCLcBGAs/s1600/20180204_123517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fF6p9HyeTgE/Wndtz5esEeI/AAAAAAAACAM/bzF17j1EWLw0385lc8DXUpjM6O01OsNSwCLcBGAs/s640/20180204_123517.jpg" width="398" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Remember how I said I got the bed second hand? Well, apparently since this bed was originally purchased, Ikea has changed the hardware for assembly.&nbsp; The instructions I had printed off the website were worse than useless.&nbsp; It took us probably an hour and a half to figure out that they were the problem.&nbsp; If we knew we were just going to have to figure it out, it would have gone much smoother.&nbsp; Plus the newer model has all sorts of flexibility in the location of the ladder and headboard that this bed does not.&nbsp; I now understand why people can go crazy while trying to assemble their furniture.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V19hJPorm0g/Wndjc1PDROI/AAAAAAAAB_c/BnmUQ36LoNg4Q2rBKnDVshxYw-tfb8jUwCLcBGAs/s1600/20180204_123912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1355" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V19hJPorm0g/Wndjc1PDROI/AAAAAAAAB_c/BnmUQ36LoNg4Q2rBKnDVshxYw-tfb8jUwCLcBGAs/s400/20180204_123912.jpg" width="361" /></a></div><br />It's up and she loves it.&nbsp; Now she has a place to hide and scream "MONSTER!" every time I enter the room. Fun times.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">sources/materials <a href="http://vintage-green.blogspot.com/2018/01/big-girl-bed.html" target="_blank">here</a></div>Elissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16534639582575019778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-887422943144591940.post-90215053474290033142018-01-24T12:27:00.001-05:002018-01-24T12:28:27.199-05:00Big girl bed!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A million years ago, when our darling daughter was still in diapers, I saw this Ikea hack in an issue of Domino and thought it could be a cute idea for our daughter's room someday.&nbsp; Maybe a year or so ago I showed it to her and she latched onto it so much, that any other bed I showed her she would tell me "it's nice, but it doesn't have a ladder or space to play underneath with curtains." Seriously.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NudkLEEtSH4/WmevJliiVwI/AAAAAAAAB-0/OeKbKxogpW0fizZppAl_XCexoleI_J3KwCLcBGAs/s1600/a-garden-grows-in-brooklyn-blue-and-red-and-taupe-kid-s-room-1456173072-56cb5af05af1db2045e1dfda-w667_h900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NudkLEEtSH4/WmevJliiVwI/AAAAAAAAB-0/OeKbKxogpW0fizZppAl_XCexoleI_J3KwCLcBGAs/s640/a-garden-grows-in-brooklyn-blue-and-red-and-taupe-kid-s-room-1456173072-56cb5af05af1db2045e1dfda-w667_h900.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well, the time has now come for a big girl bed, so our next house project is making this come to life.&nbsp; I found a used <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80253814/" target="_blank">Kura</a> bed for less than half price in a local Facebook group, and picked up a new mattress and pillow after work one night.&nbsp; Now it's time for the fun part!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yyEFZzZoz-M/Wmio1Iz-W_I/AAAAAAAAB_M/gUY-LP_zu5gplq2XOun4Y0pXWFnvjuvpQCLcBGAs/s1600/new%2Bbed%2Bmoodboard1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1100" data-original-width="550" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yyEFZzZoz-M/Wmio1Iz-W_I/AAAAAAAAB_M/gUY-LP_zu5gplq2XOun4Y0pXWFnvjuvpQCLcBGAs/s1600/new%2Bbed%2Bmoodboard1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1. <a href="https://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/color-overview/find-your-color/color/2067-70/white-satin?color=2067-70" target="_blank">ceiling color</a> 2. <a href="https://www.target.com/p/polka-dot-cotton-sheet-set--twin--purple/-/A-51993113" target="_blank">sheets</a> 3. <a href="https://www.target.com/p/pom-pom-sheet-set-twin-lilac---sheringham-road%E2%84%A2/-/A-50694611" target="_blank">sheets</a> 4. <a href="https://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/color-overview/find-your-color/color/hc-144/palladian-blue?color=HC-144" target="_blank">wall color</a> 5. <a href="https://www.fabric.com/buy/0548507/dear-stella-woodland-nymph-woodland-floral-violet" target="_blank">panel fabric</a> 6. <a href="https://www.fabric.com/buy/0430396/michael-miller-sommer-double-gauze-shadow-garden-blossom" target="_blank">curtain fabric</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You may have guessed, the girl likes purple!&nbsp; There is a bit of orchid/lilac color in her existing rug, so I tried to stick with shades that would coordinate.&nbsp; I also wanted to tie into the aqua color on her walls and in the rug.&nbsp; The walls, ceiling and rug are staying from when we originally made the room a nursery.&nbsp; I included them on the moodboard mostly to give context.&nbsp; (For those who may love the ceiling color, we actually had it mixed at 50% to reduce the intensity)&nbsp; Outside her window is a view of the small patch of woods next door.&nbsp; I liked the "woodsy" feel of these prints to connect to the view outside.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Before we assemble the bed (which has been sitting in pieces in our hallway for a couple weeks) I'm going to cover the visible sides of the panels with the purple fabric.&nbsp; I'm still figuring out how to adhere it.&nbsp; Suggestions are welcome.&nbsp; The curtains will be hung from dowels attached with eye hooks, and I plan to sew the top sheet from each set of sheets together into a duvet cover to make it easier to make the bed.&nbsp; Everything has been ordered and most of it is scheduled to arrive on Friday, so I will have a busy weekend ahead.&nbsp; I'll post pictures once it's done.</div><br />Elissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16534639582575019778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-887422943144591940.post-19348245470471210092018-01-09T10:28:00.000-05:002018-01-24T12:28:53.140-05:00dreaming of a new old kitchen - part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NkintQ92CnI/WkvJNVJOMnI/AAAAAAAAB6k/3jzDVvYntikz9RGbnaVixq5fi5_2rqhLACLcBGAs/s1600/kitchen%2Bplan%2Bpers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="550" height="366" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NkintQ92CnI/WkvJNVJOMnI/AAAAAAAAB6k/3jzDVvYntikz9RGbnaVixq5fi5_2rqhLACLcBGAs/s640/kitchen%2Bplan%2Bpers.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>I have to say this is one of the most challenging kitchen layouts I have ever had to work on.&nbsp; Mostly due to my self-imposed restrictions that I probably wouldn't have if I were working on someone else's house that wasn't as crazy as me.&nbsp; As you can see, our kitchen has three windows, five doorways and a chimney in it.&nbsp; I don't have a drawing of our current layout, but there is a peninsula that comes out from the wall with the chimney and cuts the room in half.&nbsp; The counter near the sink also wraps around the corner a couple feet and the door to the mudroom was shoved up against the window.&nbsp; That corner cabinet is the bane of my existence.&nbsp; Oh, and the fridge is on the far side of the peninsula from everything else which is super convenient.<br /><br />The room is about 9'-8" x 18' +/-.&nbsp; It's a good size room, but the current layout makes it feel half the size it actually is.&nbsp; Since it's fairly long and thin, one of my goals is to make it feel very open and not too squeezed in the width.&nbsp; I wanted to minimize the amount of upper cabinets to keep the open feeling, and work with the chimney to make it not look like an accident.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D0XwYspbstE/WkvOrd5d9uI/AAAAAAAAB60/FiCUscKNC2I-BXIy169YHXO8YL0fGuqGACLcBGAs/s1600/kitchen%2Bnorth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="258" data-original-width="550" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D0XwYspbstE/WkvOrd5d9uI/AAAAAAAAB60/FiCUscKNC2I-BXIy169YHXO8YL0fGuqGACLcBGAs/s1600/kitchen%2Bnorth.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The stove is going to move from the spot right next to both the sink and living room doorway to the wall with the chimney.&nbsp; I plan to box out a false "fireplace" that the stove will go in, to allude to a hearth and make the chimney have a reason to be there.&nbsp; Since I can't afford to lose too much real estate to a fake chimney, the side will have some storage tucked into it for cookbooks and stuff.&nbsp; Ikea's cabinets now have a 15" deep cabinet instead of 12" deep, so it allows for some prep space on either side of the stove.&nbsp; Not a ton, but far more than we have now.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0J2ofGujXVU/WkvWRQQ70DI/AAAAAAAAB7I/UeSRhfnAnnYPhptbKj2eFlRbS16XuofuQCLcBGAs/s1600/kitchen%2Bwest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="456" data-original-width="550" height="330" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0J2ofGujXVU/WkvWRQQ70DI/AAAAAAAAB7I/UeSRhfnAnnYPhptbKj2eFlRbS16XuofuQCLcBGAs/s400/kitchen%2Bwest.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Looking towards the sink you can see the shelves tucked into the side of the "chimney" and the only upper cabinets in the room on either side of the sink. They have to be slid up fairly high so that I can use the glass door sizes they make and still clear the refrigerator, but on the right side where the dishes will be kept, there's room for a shelf for the dishes we use every day to keep them easily accessible.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QiayhdCTSkc/WkvWReSdWPI/AAAAAAAAB7E/0274VgCyzIM5rBtpMkkree9epm2S4bmnwCLcBGAs/s1600/kitchen%2Bsouth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="259" data-original-width="550" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QiayhdCTSkc/WkvWReSdWPI/AAAAAAAAB7E/0274VgCyzIM5rBtpMkkree9epm2S4bmnwCLcBGAs/s1600/kitchen%2Bsouth.jpg" /></a></div>On the south wall is what would be the island if it wasn't attached to the wall.&nbsp; Our kitchen is a little too wide for a galley kitchen layout.&nbsp; A standard depth counter on this wall would be a little too far from the cabinets by the stove.&nbsp; Making this run of cabinets deeper allows room for a couple stools at the end by the radiator and access to cabinetry at both ends.&nbsp; The end by the fridge will act as a pantry, and the other side will hold lesser used items behind the stools.&nbsp; I realize the microwave is floating, I haven't had a chance to customize the cabinet to fit properly.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KvA6Y993WL4/WkvWRbYaZvI/AAAAAAAAB7M/8XXDEP64Yco2Ft9Z0p5MfWZVwCttxuG9QCLcBGAs/s1600/kitchen%2Beast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="783" data-original-width="966" height="323" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KvA6Y993WL4/WkvWRbYaZvI/AAAAAAAAB7M/8XXDEP64Yco2Ft9Z0p5MfWZVwCttxuG9QCLcBGAs/s400/kitchen%2Beast.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Finally at the wall shared with the dining room, we will find some kind of hoosier cabinet or hutch that can hold wine glasses, platters and serving dishes, and other stuff that goes in a kitchen but isn't used regularly for cooking.&nbsp; I want a piece of furniture rather than more matching cabinetry because I want the kitchen to feel more comfortable and less like a kitchen showroom (plus it will likely be a whole lot cheaper).&nbsp; I like a little eclecticism-keeps things from getting too stiff.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Unfortunately it's hard to show much personality in a computer model.&nbsp; I've tried to add some accessories so it doesn't look too sterile, but there's only so much you can do.&nbsp; I definitely plan to have lots of quirky little things to keep it fun. Art, antique kitchen-y stuff, etc. That will have to come later.&nbsp; I'm still working on figuring out which type of cabinet is going where, what needs to be stored next to the stove and what should go in the "island." Doors or drawers, that sort of thing.&nbsp; It's not as easy as it looks. Another thing, you may have caught a glimpse of the green in the mudroom.&nbsp; Just a little teaser for a post for another day.</div><br />Elissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16534639582575019778noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-887422943144591940.post-74491851091736775812018-01-02T10:43:00.000-05:002018-01-24T12:29:06.769-05:00dreaming of a new old kitchen - part 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UXUENlDMwm0/Wkr0Jm7jrJI/AAAAAAAAB6U/Jamoq1jMMB4z252N69ycGReSfj3e9apugCLcBGAs/s1600/kitchen%2Bmood%2Bboard1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1073" data-original-width="550" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UXUENlDMwm0/Wkr0Jm7jrJI/AAAAAAAAB6U/Jamoq1jMMB4z252N69ycGReSfj3e9apugCLcBGAs/s1600/kitchen%2Bmood%2Bboard1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">1. <a href="https://www.wayfair.com/home-improvement/pdp/global-specialty-products-glue-up-traditional-2-x-4-tin-ceiling-tile-in-white-gspp1013.html">ceiling tiles</a> 2. <a href="https://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/color-overview/find-your-color/color/hc-141/hollingsworth-green?color=HC-141">wall color</a> 3. <a href="https://www.schoolhouse.com/collections/wall-sconce-fixtures/products/sage-sconce-225">wall sconces</a>&nbsp;4. countertops&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;">5. <a href="https://www.rejuvenation.com/catalog/collections/lewis-quad-push-button-switchplate/products/583f707cd55930e45f000a5f">lightswitch</a>&nbsp;6. <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90268042/">cabinets</a>&nbsp;7. <a href="https://www.houseofantiquehardware.com/Brass-Bin-Pull">hardware</a>&nbsp;8. flooring&nbsp;</div><br />I haven't posted recently because I haven't been able to get any projects to the point where they make nice photos. &nbsp;A blog post isn't much without pics. &nbsp;I have however, been spending some time designing future projects and figured I might as well show you those. &nbsp;I've been working on plans for our kitchen for years now, and with each revision it gets simpler and simpler. &nbsp;As the realities of budget and DIY-ability sink in, certain things have to be eliminated.<br /><br />If money were no object, I'd probably do semi custom cabinets from Crown Point to try to recreate an authentic 1915 kitchen for the house. &nbsp;Since we haven't yet won the lotto (maybe I should start buying tickets), I have to work with something a little more reasonable. &nbsp;Our price point pretty much eliminates everything but Ikea, so I started there and tried to find a way that it could fit within our 1915-ish house. &nbsp;It bothers me when renovated kitchens looks like an entire present day room was inserted into an old house, it feels somehow alien. &nbsp;I want this kitchen to be a mix of old and new items in a decidedly old space so that it feels right for the house.<br /><br />I decided to go with Ikea's Laxarby cabinets because they have a simple traditional raised panel design and the dark color can contrast with the wood floors and white trim and ground everything. Carrera marble counters will help keep with the simple traditional look. &nbsp;Yes, yes, I know that they can etch and possibly stain, but I want to go with a honed finish instead of polished so the etching shouldn't be noticeable. &nbsp;I just hope it doesn't cost too much more. &nbsp;Plus since all the ceilings, walls and floors in the house are full of imperfections (to put it mildly), a little imperfection and patina in the countertops should fit right in. Same goes for unlacquered brass hardware for the cabinet hardware and light fixtures.<br /><br />Once we pull up the 60 year old vinyl flooring, I am hoping that there will be more of the douglas fir flooring that is in the dining room and my office. &nbsp;I'm sure it will have to be refinished, which won't be cheap. &nbsp;The current ceiling is some kind of composite tile which is likely covering a very cracked plaster ceiling. &nbsp;I'd like to cover it with a tin ceiling to avoid having to remove the tile and patch the plaster, plus it allows for easier wiring for the ceiling fixtures. &nbsp;For the walls, I want to add base molding to match the rest of the house and add a piece of horizontal trim about 2/3 up the wall where it seems that one once existed. The wall below the trim will be painted semi-gloss white like the trim to give the effect of a wainscotting. Except for behind the stove and sink, that's all the backsplash there's going to be. &nbsp;Can save at least a few bucks that way. &nbsp;I think this way it look less like a typical kitchen, and more like another room in the house that happens to be fitted out for cooking.<br /><br />Another thing that bugs me in renovated kitchens (in old houses anyway) is high hat lighting. &nbsp;I hate the ceiling looking like swiss cheese. &nbsp;If you want to put that in your new house, knock yourself out, but in an old house it's just too damn modern looking. In order to get enough lighting, there's going to be a few simple flush mount ceiling fixtures, sconces over the counters without upper cabinets above and one undercabinet light in the one spot that there is an overhead cabinet. &nbsp;I know some purists may take issue with that, but this isn't a historic recreation and another sconce wouldn't work anyway, so too bad!<br /><br />That's more than enough text for one post so stay tuned for the new layout and some SketchUp renderings!<br /><br />Elissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16534639582575019778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-887422943144591940.post-78280762782824138642016-06-12T08:46:00.002-04:002016-06-12T08:46:38.294-04:00Updates and looking ahead<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ugAgT2g2C08/V11SX5_rUVI/AAAAAAAABKs/l_rlcQ6NpkYb9p_9W8VqxpNvYE079-ezQCLcB/s1600/flowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ugAgT2g2C08/V11SX5_rUVI/AAAAAAAABKs/l_rlcQ6NpkYb9p_9W8VqxpNvYE079-ezQCLcB/s320/flowers.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />So, I guess it's been a few years since my last post. &nbsp;Yes, years. &nbsp;Some things have changed around here. &nbsp;I've gotten married and have a daughter. &nbsp;Our house is a lot more chaotic than it used to be. &nbsp;I was just looking through some old posts and wondered how I ever got it so neat for photos! &nbsp;I'd like to start blogging again, though I don't know how I will squeeze it into my far more busy life. &nbsp;If I had a hard time before, how will I do it now?<br /><br />I also want to talk about some different things than I used to. &nbsp;I rarely get to yard sales any more, my mom, or partner in crime, has had problems with her knee for a few years making it difficult to walk, and bringing a toddler along makes things, challenging, let's just say. &nbsp;The few that I have been to haven't been all that great, I wonder if that's indicative of an overall decline, or we were just unlucky.<br /><br />We haven't done too many projects around the house except for finishing the nursery. &nbsp;I think it's the one room in the house that's actually finished! &nbsp;I will try to put together a post on it soon. &nbsp;We've started the upstairs hallway, but haven't gotten too far with that. &nbsp;There was an insane amount of paint scraping and spackling to do, and since we can't do either with my daughter home, things haven't gotten very far.<br /><br />I have done a lot of gardening over the past few years. &nbsp;It's one area where I can work on it either with her while playing in the yard, or while she's napping, and it's okay if I have to just drop everything to change a diaper or make lunch. &nbsp;Our yard is still kind of a mess, but I've been laying the groundwork and re-configuring into a layout that works for us and for the house. &nbsp;I started a local <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/HuntingtonGardeners/">Facebook group</a> for gardeners to share advice and swap plants and have gotten lots of new plants that way. &nbsp;Most are recently planted, so they haven't filled in yet, but I'm hoping once they mature, things will really start to look good.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7dinJ3Pv_FU/V11SifRZMZI/AAAAAAAABK8/8rwpbynOM7IZu8T96tPMwhgZ3fuof6dqQCLcB/s1600/paint%2Bcolors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7dinJ3Pv_FU/V11SifRZMZI/AAAAAAAABK8/8rwpbynOM7IZu8T96tPMwhgZ3fuof6dqQCLcB/s320/paint%2Bcolors.jpg" width="391" /></a></div><br />I also started scraping loose paint on the front porch. &nbsp;It's a massive task and due to workload and childcare limitations, I haven't gotten far at all. &nbsp;I have picked out colors for whenever I actually get to start painting it. &nbsp;Turns out, they are remarkably close to the original colors of the house! &nbsp;I've started a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1242059125819886/">Facebook group</a> for local old house lovers, too. &nbsp;So far it's pretty small, but we're looking for new members who live in the Huntington area and love old houses and buildings.<br /><br />On top of all this, I am also trying to start my own side business. &nbsp;I no longer work for the architecture firm that I used to, and though I like the work we do at the non profit where we both work (mostly downtown revitalization work, improving transit, walkability, etc.), I don't get to do much design work and I miss it. &nbsp;I haven't gotten my license yet (it's a seven part exam that costs quite a bit of money), but luckily New York State allows for certain small projects to be done without a license. &nbsp;I'm trying to navigate the legalities and tax nonsense and get myself started. &nbsp;That part is no fun- especially since my day job keeps getting busier and busier. &nbsp;It's that last thing I feel like doing in the evening once the LO has gone to bed. &nbsp;I want the business to combine several of my related interests- architecture, old houses, walkable neighborhoods and gardening. &nbsp;Figuring out how to categorize it for business purposes is a bit of a challenge.<br /><br />I'm going to try to focus on these topics some more on this blog, not just interiors furnished with fun yard sale finds, but also on exteriors and how to add traditional character to homes and neighborhoods. &nbsp;Some of it will be locally focused to Long Island neighborhoods and houses, but I'm sure lots will apply to old houses and old neighborhoods in many parts of the country. &nbsp;It should be an interesting journey!<br /><br /><br />Elissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16534639582575019778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-887422943144591940.post-79033294290282461142012-12-29T15:28:00.002-05:002012-12-29T15:29:36.602-05:00Bar Cart Part II<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mVJdGiIzDL0/UN9DXWka4HI/AAAAAAAAAuo/5pUv-MUrMbc/s1600/bar+cart+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mVJdGiIzDL0/UN9DXWka4HI/AAAAAAAAAuo/5pUv-MUrMbc/s640/bar+cart+3.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="382" /></a></div>I think I should preface this post by saying I'm a hasty crafter. &nbsp;I don't usually have the patience to do things properly with all of the prep work and reading of instructions and such. &nbsp;I tend to just go ahead and do it and hope it turns out okay. &nbsp;Luckily you guys can learn from my mistakes on this one.<br /><br /><a href="http://vintage-green.blogspot.com/2011/05/dining-room.html">A year or so ago</a>, I found a cute little bar cart at an estate sale. &nbsp;I cleaned it up and gave it a coat of hammered copper spray paint. &nbsp;Getting the layers of paint off of the wheels almost killed my finger tips. &nbsp;I liked the way it turned out, but after a while it began to feel a bit insubstantial for the space.<br /><br />My dining room is small (like the rest of the house) so it was a good thing that the cart was small. &nbsp;Since it is very delicate in its design with glass shelves and thin wire supports, it sometimes appeared to be too weak to hold all of the bottles and glasses.<br />I have been thinking about back painting glass for a while now, though mostly as a way to make my coffee table look a little nicer. &nbsp;I thought I could back paint the glass shelves black to make them a little "glammier"-a little bit of black never hurt a room.<br /><br />Since I can't choose the easy route for any project around the house, I also decided to add some copper and faux malachite details to give it a little "oomph." &nbsp;I am loving the malachite trend that is happening right now and wanted to work it into the house somehow without committing too much since it might be totally "out" in a couple years. &nbsp;I looked up some faux malachite painting tutorials and they all seemed to have a similar technique. &nbsp;I used <a href="http://www.paintinganddecoratingconcourse.com/articles/malachite.html">this one</a>, but apparently didn't read the directions closely enough- we'll get to that in a minute.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LBGYrl-nqt8/UN9DWHBqyOI/AAAAAAAAAuc/Hsk-FOleYvc/s1600/bar+cart+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LBGYrl-nqt8/UN9DWHBqyOI/AAAAAAAAAuc/Hsk-FOleYvc/s640/bar+cart+1.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><br />Now since I am painting on the back of glass you have to do everything backwards so that it shows up right. &nbsp;This means that the first step is to paint the copper edges. &nbsp;I taped off two concentric squares about an 1/8" wide and used scrap paper to mask off the rest of the glass. &nbsp;I used the same spray paint that I used to paint the cart but you can certainly use regular paint. &nbsp;In fact, none of the paint I used is really designed for glass (see: hasty crafter above) so I don't really know how long this will last, but I am hoping that it being on the underside of the glass and not on the side that gets used will help. &nbsp;While that paint was still slightly wet I peeled off the tape in the space where the malachite would go. &nbsp;A bit of paint got under the tape (don't ask me how) so I cleaned that up with an exacto knife.<br /><br />Once it finished drying, I started with the malachite. &nbsp;I started with the last step which is the dark green swirls. &nbsp;If I had ready the directions more closely, I would have seen that it said to cover the whole area with the glaze and then scrape it off with the torn cardboard to create the swirls. &nbsp;My method was to use the torn cardboard as a brush and use it to spread the glaze onto the glass. &nbsp;I'd recommend the original method since mine came out with significant areas without any glaze on them.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T0BMpKCiGk8/UN9DWv2FXLI/AAAAAAAAAuk/4GfWcfqVkyQ/s1600/bar+cart+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T0BMpKCiGk8/UN9DWv2FXLI/AAAAAAAAAuk/4GfWcfqVkyQ/s640/bar+cart+2.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After the glaze dried, I covered over the glaze with opaque light green acrylic paint. &nbsp;The colors I used were phthalocyanine green, black and acrylic gloss medium for the glaze and phthalo green and white for the base (which goes on top in this backwards method). &nbsp;While the paint was still a bit wet I peeled off the tape and paper for the parts that are going to be painted black. &nbsp;You may need to use an exacto to score the paint so that it doesn't come up with the tape. &nbsp;Once it was fully dry, I took both shelves outside and spray painted the rest black. &nbsp;FYI, don't try to do this when it is beginning to snow like I did. &nbsp;These are not remotely ideal conditions for painting. &nbsp;I brought them inside to finish drying, but I would recommend waiting for a warmer, dryer day and doing it all outside.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fxnmJxdnzsA/UN9DYIGVCXI/AAAAAAAAAu0/-bl0f-Peknw/s1600/bar+cart+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fxnmJxdnzsA/UN9DYIGVCXI/AAAAAAAAAu0/-bl0f-Peknw/s800/bar+cart+4.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XiHw4jUtGRY/UN9DYo0V4LI/AAAAAAAAAu8/5xl4b80igY8/s1600/bar+cart+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XiHw4jUtGRY/UN9DYo0V4LI/AAAAAAAAAu8/5xl4b80igY8/s800/bar+cart+5.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Voilà !</span></i></div>Elissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16534639582575019778noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-887422943144591940.post-8039151729420281232012-05-06T08:55:00.001-04:002012-05-06T08:55:11.031-04:00Shades of GreenIn my attempts to make this blog somewhat of a resource for you guys and not just documenting the&nbsp;excruciatingly&nbsp;slow progress that we are making, I want to share with you some of what I learn in the process. &nbsp;For those that know me, you know it took a long time for me to pick a color to use for the stencil for my office wall. &nbsp;I probably had close to two dozen different color swatches taped to the wall for several weeks. &nbsp;I had two groups of colors, the more muted greens from the Ben Moore Historical Collection and more vibrant greens from their regular Color Preview Collection. &nbsp;I was torn between feeling that I should use a muted color since the pattern itself was so bold and my usual love of more saturated greens from the first half of the twentieth century.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f0-BfWzZm1I/T6ZxRQmHhwI/AAAAAAAAAtE/DKsnTi2AHQg/s1600/ben+moore+vintage+greens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f0-BfWzZm1I/T6ZxRQmHhwI/AAAAAAAAAtE/DKsnTi2AHQg/s320/ben+moore+vintage+greens.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The bolder colors won out. &nbsp;I decided to go with Stokes Forest Green and apply the paint in a brush-y streaky sort of style to soften its intensity. &nbsp;I promise I'll have pictures soon. &nbsp;Despite these colors looking like a color palette from Coastal Living with my current monitor settings (nothing against Coastal Living, they're just not my usual style) I swear the actual color swatches look just like colors I've seen in old houses that haven't been updated or even painted in 70 years. &nbsp;There were two other greens, Egyptian Green (2043-40) and Green Gables (2041-30), that seemed like authentic early 20th century greens to me, but they were way too bold for the room and got eliminated in the first round.<br /><br />So that's it, if you are looking for a green that comes from the time between the World Wars, here are seven good ones to choose from.Elissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16534639582575019778noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-887422943144591940.post-29010293422932757582012-03-05T07:52:00.006-05:002012-03-05T12:25:23.313-05:00Office progress<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-23QpPz75-tQ/T1S3-JpZdrI/AAAAAAAAAs8/85XecvCP8Ek/s1600/office%2Bcolors.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-23QpPz75-tQ/T1S3-JpZdrI/AAAAAAAAAs8/85XecvCP8Ek/s400/office%2Bcolors.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716396105409328818" border="0" /></a><br />Well, we've been working on my office for the past few weeks. So far we've painted the walls and trim a crisp white and the ceiling is pale blue to match the adjacent dining room. We still have to prep and paint the windows sashes-sticking with the white for those. I'm planning on stencilling an <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/130885932890195019/">ikat pattern</a> on the wall behind my desk. I just have to pick a green. I know the design blog world has moved beyond ikat patterns, but I wanted something "brocade-y" that worked with the Art Nouveau/Edwardian/Downton Abbey elements in the dining room but also works with the somewhat tribally rug in the office. Once it's done I think it will look really cool. Hopefully this week I can choose a color so we can wrap this up next weekend- then I can start styling it up so I can take some real pics.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y29zTqaG_aI/T1S39__f1WI/AAAAAAAAAsw/oj-ies_-6eY/s1600/office%2Bchaos.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y29zTqaG_aI/T1S39__f1WI/AAAAAAAAAsw/oj-ies_-6eY/s400/office%2Bchaos.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716396102817666402" border="0" /></a><br />In the meantime, this is the chaos that we are living with in the dining room since it now houses everything from the dining room and the office and probably some other stuff too. I'll be happy to see this cleared out.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span><br /></span></div>Elissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16534639582575019778noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-887422943144591940.post-12855308725146422352011-11-06T09:04:00.002-05:002011-11-06T09:05:26.404-05:00Remember Me?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aa9pzfkaGnA/TraJ12XCjiI/AAAAAAAAArs/zUC5fA7ENpI/s1600/IMG_4994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aa9pzfkaGnA/TraJ12XCjiI/AAAAAAAAArs/zUC5fA7ENpI/s800/IMG_4994.JPG" width="500" /></a></div><br />Remember when I used to blog here even if it was only a couple of times a month? &nbsp;Yeah, whatever happened to that? &nbsp;It's been five months already! &nbsp;I suppose you're wondering what the heck I've been doing (you weren't actually wondering that, but it's my blog so I can imagine you were). &nbsp;Let's see... &nbsp;In addition to the three jobs I currently have, we've been doing lots of work in the yard. &nbsp;Unfortunately I have no pictures to show for it because it has mostly consisted of moving plants around and since it's November, none of them look nice enough to photograph. &nbsp;We transplanted all of the nice perennials from that flower bed that cut the back yard in half into our tiny front yard and planted grass in the back. &nbsp;Hopefully in the spring we will have a front yard that looks like a cottage garden and a back yard with enough contiguous open space that you can actually use it!<br /><br />I've been trying my hand at flower arranging. &nbsp;Though admittedly that hasn't taken up enough time that I could even think of using it as an excuse for not blogging. &nbsp;I've been learning a lot from reading the <a href="http://www.designsponge.com/category/flowers-a-z">Flowers A-Z</a> column on <a href="http://www.designsponge.com/">Design*Sponge</a>. While doing some yard clean up a couple weeks ago, I gathered some clippings from the yard and put together this arrangement.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r-dZZo3DYUI/TraPn7h6NYI/AAAAAAAAAsU/cnw263xefY8/s1600/IMG_4991a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r-dZZo3DYUI/TraPn7h6NYI/AAAAAAAAAsU/cnw263xefY8/s800/IMG_4991a.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><br />I'm really happy with how it came out. &nbsp;Unfortunately it didn't last very long which brings us to the newest addition to our little abode.... KITTY!!!!!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aynL9QKPn64/TraLAnBx6LI/AAAAAAAAAsE/_qU2Ts2nBOU/s1600/kitty+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aynL9QKPn64/TraLAnBx6LI/AAAAAAAAAsE/_qU2Ts2nBOU/s800/kitty+collage.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><br />Yes, we adopted a new kitten named Olivia. &nbsp;She's adorable, a bit of a mush and a little terror around the house. &nbsp;As you can see she doesn't stay still long enough to take a picture and she doesn't like to leave anything alone including flower arrangements. She is driving our other curmudgeonly cat nuts.<br /><br />Also, I've been spending way to much time on <a href="http://pinterest.com/vintagegreenblg/">Pinterest</a>, like <u>way</u> too much time. &nbsp;You can follow my pins from the button on the top right of my blog. &nbsp;Also I've started listing links for old house renovation resources in the middle of the right hand column. &nbsp;I figure some folks may want to know where (besides yard sales) you can find cool stuff for old houses. &nbsp;I'll keep adding more as I find them.<br /><br />So, how has everyone else been the last few months? &nbsp;Is anyone still out there? &nbsp;Hello?.... &nbsp;Bueller?...Elissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16534639582575019778noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-887422943144591940.post-92209416327079312222011-06-08T14:52:00.003-04:002011-06-08T15:06:10.889-04:00Wow!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CI1LSAvEyUQ/Te_FGrrHWJI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/egIS0vRqNG0/s1600/c5_rect540.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CI1LSAvEyUQ/Te_FGrrHWJI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/egIS0vRqNG0/s800/c5_rect540.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615923978947745938" border="0" /></a><br />I usually try not to post too many images from other blogs- partly because I figure you've seen them already and partly because <a href="http://www.mammothcollection.com/products/giving-credit-storm-cloud">figuring out the original source</a> of an image can be a real pain in the a**. This bathroom however, was too awesome not to share with you. It's from a <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/la/house-tours/rodellees-sunny-southern-california-style-house-call-148426?image_id=2615855">house call</a> over at Apartment Therapy. I love the vintage tile and the wallpaper that arches right over the ceiling, plus the orange robe (?) hanging from the door completes the 1920s color scheme.Elissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16534639582575019778noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-887422943144591940.post-6172555292703578132011-05-23T12:14:00.003-04:002011-05-23T12:45:33.388-04:00Damn you Ikea!<div align="left">One of the things I had planned on doing in our living room was replacing the tv stand with something with more storage and could blend into the backround a bit better. Since budget is tight as always, I was planning on getting the Lack shelf in white from Ikea so that it could hold all of our electronics and dvds and not compete with the other furniture in the room.</div><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609951310904586786" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4BoKCYpQLsQ/TdqM_pW0ciI/AAAAAAAAAqE/1kVv5TN3AdE/s800/victorias%2Bshelf.jpg" /> Here's the shelf in Victoria's old apartment from <a href="http://sfgirlbybay.com/">sfgirlbybay</a><br /><br /><p align="left">A few weeks ago I noticed that there was an error on the page on the Ikea website. Last week I went down to Ikea and discovered that they had discontinued it and they didn't have any left! I can't believe it! It's one of their classics. Now I'm not sure what I'm going to use instead. I want the look of a low white bench that can run behind whatever chairs I wind up getting for the room, and I'd consider making something but I really don't need another project.</p><br /><br /><p>Any ideas?</p><br /><br /><p></p></div>Elissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16534639582575019778noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-887422943144591940.post-14757530339884035552011-05-02T07:59:00.003-04:002011-05-02T13:31:02.736-04:00Dining Room<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HJpnt2W2Ezo/Tb6dBQRzDSI/AAAAAAAAApc/iWjarKCCY10/s1600/IMG_4676.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 500px; display: block;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602087631370521890" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HJpnt2W2Ezo/Tb6dBQRzDSI/AAAAAAAAApc/iWjarKCCY10/s900/IMG_4676.JPG" border="0" /></a>Here's a few spring changes that I've made to our dining room. A few happy tulips on the table,<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gVQduFv7P-M/Tb6dBUt12VI/AAAAAAAAApk/u_TqbLmD00E/s1600/IMG_4681.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 500px; display: block;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602087632561887570" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gVQduFv7P-M/Tb6dBUt12VI/AAAAAAAAApk/u_TqbLmD00E/s800/IMG_4681.JPG" border="0" /></a>a branch I brought in after doing some pruning outside,<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bnvtAaUp0LM/Tb6dBpddPkI/AAAAAAAAAps/1srKSBa3mlo/s1600/IMG_4683.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 500px; display: block;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602087638130310722" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bnvtAaUp0LM/Tb6dBpddPkI/AAAAAAAAAps/1srKSBa3mlo/s800/IMG_4683.JPG" border="0" /></a>and a new/old bar cart that I practically killed my hands stripping and repainting over the weekend.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sM7fOxdBUZY/Tb6dB3lWchI/AAAAAAAAAp0/YWuLGica-xI/s1600/IMG_4691.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 500px; display: block;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602087641921516050" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sM7fOxdBUZY/Tb6dB3lWchI/AAAAAAAAAp0/YWuLGica-xI/s800/IMG_4691.JPG" border="0" /></a>Is it too early for a drink?<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JfjzaGSzA6I/Tb6dCCotXPI/AAAAAAAAAp8/AbRI0JxQt-o/s1600/IMG_4694.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 500px; display: block;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602087644888390898" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JfjzaGSzA6I/Tb6dCCotXPI/AAAAAAAAAp8/AbRI0JxQt-o/s800/IMG_4694.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div>Elissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16534639582575019778noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-887422943144591940.post-62632558443123847692011-03-21T07:30:00.005-04:002011-03-21T12:43:20.107-04:00Weekend Finds<div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H1cZkHvv_us/TYc4nyharuI/AAAAAAAAApU/Gg09BWOzK7U/s1600/IMG_4671.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 500px; display: block;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586496119004376802" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H1cZkHvv_us/TYc4nyharuI/AAAAAAAAApU/Gg09BWOzK7U/s800/IMG_4671.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />So this weekend I found myself at two of the best estate sales I think I've ever gone to. I say I found myself as if I had no idea of the Saturday morning routine that got us there. Anyway, I got a bunch of paint by number paintings for only $5. There was one more of a seascape, but I gave that one to my aunt for her beach house. The moose (moose!) one is my favorite because it isn't finished so you can still see some of the numbers. I'm not sure where these are going yet, but I'm sure they'll find their way into the rotating art collection in the house. The moose one will probably get stored until next winter since I'm not sure I'll want to look at snowy scenes in the summer (I don't even want to look at the snowy scenes outside my window right now!)<br /><br /><div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nm3TvFtYaTg/TYc4ngsFjiI/AAAAAAAAApE/r1veksMAK3Q/s1600/IMG_4663.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 500px; display: block;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586496114217291298" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nm3TvFtYaTg/TYc4ngsFjiI/AAAAAAAAApE/r1veksMAK3Q/s800/IMG_4663.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Yes, that is an incredibly large desk lamp, well floor lamp really, but I thought it was too cool to pass up. I'm pretty sure I saw one of these on one of those all white Scandi-blogs recently. The Aalto-esque three legged stool (though it looks two-legged in this picture) was found a another sale. I'm not sure where he will wind up. I have a feeling some major furniture rearranging is going to be happening in the near future.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ctNSxNKuDpQ/TYc4n1uSOlI/AAAAAAAAApM/81ZYTvbNhWQ/s1600/IMG_4668.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 500px; display: block;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586496119863654994" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ctNSxNKuDpQ/TYc4n1uSOlI/AAAAAAAAApM/81ZYTvbNhWQ/s800/IMG_4668.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />And yes, I finally found a pair of matching lamps for my office desk. They are shiny, but slightly pitted brass which I'm totally okay with. I like that they show some age. Please ignore the shade, I just grabbed something to see what size will look best. I'm thinking a natural linen drum shade to tie in with the <a href="http://vintage-green.blogspot.com/2009/06/better-late-than-never.html">dining room</a> which is connected to the office. They'll wind up costing more than the lamps themselves. Now I really have to get moving with painting the office!<br /><br />I did get a few other things, an art deco hand mirror, a necklace and an opalescent glass container (which you can see a bit of in the first picture), but they aren't nearly as cool as these. There was also some gardening done this weekend, but now it's snowing so... well... crap.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Elissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16534639582575019778noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-887422943144591940.post-28821315536778709142011-03-20T10:46:00.001-04:002011-03-20T10:50:07.040-04:00The story of my life...<div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VYrr8KHZjAA/TYYTpZUQ3KI/AAAAAAAAAo8/hp1iVKm2q_U/s1600/maisonmarigoldil_570xN_189179253.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 360px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586173989691120802" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VYrr8KHZjAA/TYYTpZUQ3KI/AAAAAAAAAo8/hp1iVKm2q_U/s400/maisonmarigoldil_570xN_189179253.jpg" /></a> from <a href="http://maisonmarigold.blogspot.com/2011/03/this-made-me-laugh.html">Maison Marigold </a>via <a href="http://www.desiretoinspire.net/blog/2011/3/20/blog-favourites-of-the-week.html">Desire to Inspire<br /></a><br /></div>Elissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16534639582575019778noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-887422943144591940.post-85736067335442034622011-02-14T07:40:00.003-05:002011-02-14T13:24:42.242-05:00Headboard Ideas<div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B43mZQUORpo/TVki8GAWDqI/AAAAAAAAAos/bziwG_49cp4/s1600/headboard.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 500px; display: block;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573524429647253154" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B43mZQUORpo/TVki8GAWDqI/AAAAAAAAAos/bziwG_49cp4/s800/headboard.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Here is my crude photoshop job showing what I am thinking for our bedroom. We've needed a head board for a while now, but I've been pretty indecisive on what would work best. I kept hoping I'd stumble across a cool vintage one but so far that hasn't happened. I think an upholstered one would be nice since you can lean against it when reading in bed without fear of having some turned brass spindle making an imprint into the back of your head. I had a hard time finding a fabric I liked- I didn't want a print that would lock me into a look that I may get tired of in a year. I found this <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/63170209/mendocino-charcoal-dark-grey-woodgrain?ref=sr_gallery_10&amp;ga_includes=&amp;ga_search_query=faux%2Bbois%2Bfabric&amp;ga_filter=">woodgrain print</a> which I thought was cute because it's neutral, but has some variation/texture so it's not boring. Plus I thought having a padded headboard that looks like wood was kind of fun.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uf4u2X9pZfE/TVkjjDEeM9I/AAAAAAAAAo0/9BFHew2BpSI/s1600/IMG_4625.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 500px; display: block;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573525098874155986" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uf4u2X9pZfE/TVkjjDEeM9I/AAAAAAAAAo0/9BFHew2BpSI/s800/IMG_4625.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Here's what it looks like now. I want to remove the shelves above the bed that I constantly bump my head on and reuse one of the pieces of wood to make a shelf up on top of the picture rail. Not for books that we read before bed- obviously that would be a tad inconvenient, but for books that just don't fit on our shelves downstairs. For books that we are actually reading, I want to get those <a href="http://www.umbra.com/ustore/product/330638-560.store">Umbra hidden shelves</a> to use as mini nightstands since we don't have space for real ones. I'm looking for some brass wall mounted reading lights-I found a perfect one at a yard sale, but it was just one, it had no mate. I'll keep searching. Maybe when the yard sales start up again in the spring, I'll find something.<br /><br />So whaddaya think? Is the woodgrain print cute or cheesy? Any suggestions for (cheap) lamps?<br /></div>Elissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16534639582575019778noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-887422943144591940.post-10272539123909726792011-01-23T19:19:00.004-05:002011-01-23T20:49:24.914-05:00The green is gone!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8al8-0W3hUk/TTzNe_ejRWI/AAAAAAAAAoA/ZBWcQstR8Pw/s1600/IMG_4633.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565549171842434402" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8al8-0W3hUk/TTzNe_ejRWI/AAAAAAAAAoA/ZBWcQstR8Pw/s800/IMG_4633.JPG" /></a><br />Finally! I've been sick of the green in our living room since about two days after we painted it- okay maaaybe that's an exaggeration. maybe. This past week we (mostly Chris) painted the living room gray. It's sooo much better. I no longer feel like I'm inside a container of lime sherbet.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8al8-0W3hUk/TTzNetKvr8I/AAAAAAAAAn4/WK8-USdjr6w/s1600/IMG_4632.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565549166927523778" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8al8-0W3hUk/TTzNetKvr8I/AAAAAAAAAn4/WK8-USdjr6w/s800/IMG_4632.JPG" /></a> </div><div>I'm still trying to figure out how to style it up. I need to develop that skill. I think what's wrong is that all of my "stuff" is too small. I think I have too much small, cluttery stuff when what I need is less, but more substantial stuff. hmmm. I'm still working on the pillows. I have some fabric to make new covers for a few of them, not sure what to do about the others yet. Suggestions are welcome.</div><div></div><div>Don't mind the weird hanging light thingy in the corner. I moved the one with the green fiberglass shade into the office and needed something in that corner. I might put a table lamp there if I can find one that doesn't take up the whole table. Or, I was thinking of finding/making a hanging lamp that hangs from the ceiling instead of from the picture rail. I found an electrical supply website that sells vintage looking electrical parts like fabric covered cords and antique brass sockets. That with something cool to use as a shade may be nice too although my mom pointed out that there is a lot of stuff hanging on that side of the room so maybe a table lamp is the way to go.</div><div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8al8-0W3hUk/TTzNeWT-GpI/AAAAAAAAAnw/Nk8vND54fYM/s1600/IMG_4631.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565549160792201874" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8al8-0W3hUk/TTzNeWT-GpI/AAAAAAAAAnw/Nk8vND54fYM/s800/IMG_4631.JPG" /></a><br />In other news, a couple of months ago I found a chair down the street from our place that someone was throwing out. The finish wasn't great and the upholstry was nasty, but it was such a cool shape I had to grab it.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8al8-0W3hUk/TTzNePuVkNI/AAAAAAAAAno/-B1kwnXMVqI/s1600/IMG_4627.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565549159023743186" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8al8-0W3hUk/TTzNePuVkNI/AAAAAAAAAno/-B1kwnXMVqI/s800/IMG_4627.JPG" /></a><br />I cleaned it up and oiled it and it looks much better. I used some zig zag fabric that I had bought to make pillows for the living room to recover the seat and I love it. Too bad I rarely see it since it's usually covered in clothes. And yes, I did get myself a flokati rug. I've been wanting to get one, well two actually, for the bedroom (the floor is icy cold in the winter), but was afraid to spend more that a few bucks on something so trendy. After Christmas, I went to IKEA's storewide sale hoping to find them on sale and not only were they not on sale, they were ten dollars more than they were on the website! Bummer. </div><div></div><div>I started looking on craigslist and found someone who was selling two of the real greek ones, not the made in China IKEA ones. She was asking $175 for the larger one and $125 for the smaller. Not happening. I waited and waited and waited and the price came down to $100 for both! Score!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8al8-0W3hUk/TTzNd818qMI/AAAAAAAAAng/U1lGqB0MIAw/s1600/IMG_4625.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565549153955391682" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8al8-0W3hUk/TTzNd818qMI/AAAAAAAAAng/U1lGqB0MIAw/s800/IMG_4625.JPG" /></a> </div><div>Not much new here except for new sheets and pillow shams. I'm going to use this photo to do a photoshop mock up of what I'd like to do here once we get rid of the awful shelves. Need a headboard and something to use as nightstands. I have some ideas stirring around. Lets see if they look as good in photoshop as they do in my head. Stay tuned!</div></div></div></div>Elissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16534639582575019778noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-887422943144591940.post-60047751717137840132010-12-30T19:57:00.003-05:002010-12-30T20:27:11.456-05:00Christmas Projects<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8al8-0W3hUk/TR0rKCZnppI/AAAAAAAAAnY/VZSbSdYB0pU/s1600/tree.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556644966688073362" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8al8-0W3hUk/TR0rKCZnppI/AAAAAAAAAnY/VZSbSdYB0pU/s800/tree.jpg" /></a><br />Now that everyone's gotten their Christmas presents, I can share with you what we made. Gifts this year we a mix of homemade, homemade by somebody else and store bought. We made a bunch of soy candles in various vintage containers that I had laying around, some <a href="http://www.creaturecomfortsblog.com/home/2010/11/16/diy-5-minute-tinsel-garland-wreath.html">tinsel wreaths </a>I found on <a href="http://www.creaturecomfortsblog.com/">Creature Comforts </a>and batch of <a href="http://vinolucistyle.com/2009/12/cranberry-liqueur/">cranberry orange liqueur </a>that I found on the <a href="http://www.thekitchn.com/">Kitchn</a>. They all turned out really well. The tinsel wreaths were actually the biggest hit and they were the easiest to make.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8al8-0W3hUk/TR0qmPNhpxI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/CRz0Xd0lJJ4/s1600/liqueur%2Bbottles.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556644351651718930" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8al8-0W3hUk/TR0qmPNhpxI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/CRz0Xd0lJJ4/s800/liqueur%2Bbottles.jpg" /></a><br />I had a little fun with the labels on the liqueur. Not the most innovative of designs, but they're cute. I'd love to learn a bit more about graphic design, maybe take a class at a local college, or something. In the mean time I'll just keep playing around with Photoshop. Maybe I'll try to teach myself Illustrator. Anyone know of a good tutorial book?</div>Elissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16534639582575019778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-887422943144591940.post-35317306034595486972010-12-30T19:01:00.004-05:002010-12-30T19:57:06.229-05:00Looking for LampsI know I've been awol for a while... sorry 'bout that. I'm finally out of Christmas mode and back to thinking about the house. Among many other things that I'm in the market for these days, I've been keeping an eye out for a matching pair of lamps for my desk.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8al8-0W3hUk/TR0dlIyTqjI/AAAAAAAAAnI/YTfUirOyhJs/s1600/lamps.jpg"><span style="color:#000000;"></span><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556630039095913010" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8al8-0W3hUk/TR0dlIyTqjI/AAAAAAAAAnI/YTfUirOyhJs/s800/lamps.jpg" /></a><br /><br />I finally got to the thrift store today after a long hiatus. I've been busy shopping for other people and making gifts for Christmas that I hadn't had time to visit any thrift stores for myself. In the winter, when there aren't any yard sales, thrift stores are my substitute crack. Unfortunately, there wasn't anything I could use. There was a leather "egg" like chair as well as a vinyl lounge chair, but I certainly don't have room for another chair in this house. I was hoping to find either a headboard for our bed or possibly a pair of lamps. I'd love some mid century ceramic lamps, or even wooden ones like the bottom pair. These are all from ebay and way out of my price range. I guess I'm going to have to keep thrifting. If anyone spots something like these anywhere, let me know!Elissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16534639582575019778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-887422943144591940.post-32975960823535460892010-10-17T18:42:00.005-04:002010-10-17T20:36:23.907-04:00New/Old Door<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8al8-0W3hUk/TLuUzC6LmmI/AAAAAAAAAl4/WMJiXa0qrHc/s1600/front+door+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 530px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529176572202556002" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8al8-0W3hUk/TLuUzC6LmmI/AAAAAAAAAl4/WMJiXa0qrHc/s800/front+door+2.jpg" /></a><br />I am slightly embarrassed to say that we have only recently gotten the storm door finished. It took the better part of the summer. It is up, it is green and it is a pain in the arse to open. I don't know why, but the knob is really hard to turn. I'll have to get my dad over to investigate. In other news I spent this afternoon cutting out little paper bats that I strung on some bakery like string. I like it, it's kind of like a bat bunting! They flutter in the wind which looks pretty cool. Do you like them?<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 530px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529176569034629714" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8al8-0W3hUk/TLuUy3G44lI/AAAAAAAAAlw/HYvAVccUzmA/s800/front+door.jpg" /><br />Over the summer we also replaced the light fixture above the door and cleaned and painted the mailbox. One of these days I'd like to paint our house number on the mailbox. I just can't seem to settle on a font. Even without numbers on the mailbox, it certainly looks a lit better than it <a href="http://vintage-green.blogspot.com/2008/07/were-buying-house.html">used to</a>, don't you think?Elissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16534639582575019778noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-887422943144591940.post-71590804527774540152010-09-26T07:38:00.010-04:002010-10-04T13:39:45.294-04:00Sharon Springs and the Beekman Boys!<p align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; HEIGHT: 500px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521343619909334050" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8al8-0W3hUk/TJ_AxNuQtCI/AAAAAAAAAk4/Kd0vhQmzTUA/s800/Brent+and+Us.jpg" /></p><p>Last weekend we went upstate for a little break from the day to day. It was the weekend of the Second Annual Sharon Springs Harvest Festival started by the <a href="http://beekman1802.com/">Fabulous Beekman Boys </a>last year. As I mentioned the other day, I've become a bit of a fan of the <a href="http://planetgreen.discovery.com/tv/the-fabulous-beekman-boys/the-fabulous-beekman-boys.html">show</a>. I heard about the festival last year but wasn't able to make it because of a conflict. This year I made a point of getting there. It was seriously crowded, I haven't seen that many people in all the times I've been to Sharon Springs --- combined! Like a dork, I waited on line to get a photo with Brent (above) but Josh wasn't there yet. By the time he did get there the line was twice as long and I wasn't ready to wait on it again. (That's Josh in the orange shirt on the porch)<br /><br /></p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; DISPLAY: block" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521354231504572162" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8al8-0W3hUk/TJ_Ka4_uDwI/AAAAAAAAAlA/6mtvFP_BlRs/s800/crowd.jpg" />In addition to autographs and photos, there were tons of vendors selling produce, jams, crafts and all sorts of goodies. We bought a jar of spiced pear jam (yum!), some garlic for roasting and some yummy white bean veggie chili in a bread bowl for lunch. There was a line to get into their shop, and I had enough of lines for the day, so I figured I can get something there next time I'm up there.</p><p><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 560px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 560px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521376602972596066" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8al8-0W3hUk/TJ_exFNVp2I/AAAAAAAAAlQ/sq-8AmbQ27U/s800/collage.jpg" /><br />After we left Sharon Springs, we took a slight detour to try to find the farm. It was just a few miles away and is one of the most beautiful farms I've ever seen. I couldn't get a good shot of the front of the house since there are a number of big old trees, but it is quite a house for it's era. Much fancier than my parents place.<br /></p><p align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; HEIGHT: 500px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521368806957113250" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8al8-0W3hUk/TJ_XrSyZ36I/AAAAAAAAAlI/M1w7s0xCvt4/s800/sign.jpg" /></p>That's all for now. I have some photos from a kite festival in Cherry Valley and apple picking at the Sharon Orchards that I'll post a little later.Elissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16534639582575019778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-887422943144591940.post-48988795979496001512010-09-20T19:37:00.003-04:002010-09-20T19:45:34.169-04:00Congratulations!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8al8-0W3hUk/TJfxRDqNY7I/AAAAAAAAAkY/dSPH1cyBVcQ/s1600/number.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 170px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 195px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519145143708246962" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8al8-0W3hUk/TJfxRDqNY7I/AAAAAAAAAkY/dSPH1cyBVcQ/s320/number.jpg" /></a><br />Congrats to Sammy Ann! Contact me at <a href="mailto:vintagegreenblog@gmail.com">vintagegreenblog@gmail.com</a> with your mailing address and I'll send the print over to you!<br /><div></div>Elissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16534639582575019778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-887422943144591940.post-22776130258830895862010-09-14T15:27:00.002-04:002010-09-14T15:30:55.128-04:00Don't Forgetto comment on <a href="http://vintage-green.blogspot.com/2010/09/100.html">this post</a> to have a chance to win a signed print of my "Apples" watercolor painting- just in time for Fall! Comments must be received by 5:00 pm on Friday. On Monday I'll announce the winner!Elissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16534639582575019778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-887422943144591940.post-13225585063447740972010-09-11T20:51:00.008-04:002010-09-11T21:35:08.090-04:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8al8-0W3hUk/TIwojZw6eII/AAAAAAAAAkQ/vDnu4shvnns/s1600/IMG_4052.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515828232298592386" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8al8-0W3hUk/TIwojZw6eII/AAAAAAAAAkQ/vDnu4shvnns/s400/IMG_4052.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8al8-0W3hUk/TIwoirsVYiI/AAAAAAAAAkI/UILSs96CdK8/s1600/IMG_4051.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515828219931353634" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8al8-0W3hUk/TIwoirsVYiI/AAAAAAAAAkI/UILSs96CdK8/s400/IMG_4051.JPG" /></a><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515824208800724962" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8al8-0W3hUk/TIwk5NERN-I/AAAAAAAAAjQ/uY4x6RDBkqU/s400/IMG_4046.JPG" /></div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515824215320982898" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8al8-0W3hUk/TIwk5lW0dXI/AAAAAAAAAjY/rZ0TpzNwLqM/s400/IMG_4049.JPG" /> </div><div>Today was a particularly successful yard sale day. We started out on this street around the corner from our house and there were at least six sales on the one street. I got all four of those enamelled cast iron pots at the first sale for only $10! The two orange ones are LeCrueset, the yellow one with the lid is a Belgian brand I've never heard of and the grilling pan is a newish one. Not a bad way to start the day. A few doors down I found the blue anodized dish, which is one of the coolest ones I've ever seen. It has some mineral deposits on it, but I've read that some vinegar and boiling water can get them off. Anyone have success with that? I'll try soaking it tomorrow and let you know how it turns out. The deer and turtle will add to the menagerie of critters I have around the house and that odd looking thing in the back is actually a letterpress of a site plan of a 1950s ranch house. There were other images, but they were technical drawings of god knows what. Of course I was drawn to the architectural one! Don't know what I'm going to do with it, but then again I don't know what to do with half of what I bring home. Oh well. </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Elissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16534639582575019778noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-887422943144591940.post-12665993106185990032010-09-10T10:15:00.004-04:002010-09-10T10:26:44.051-04:00100!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8al8-0W3hUk/TIo9xNIEhCI/AAAAAAAAAiw/Khm1dv_x_G0/s1600/IMG_4039.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8al8-0W3hUk/TIo9xNIEhCI/AAAAAAAAAiw/Khm1dv_x_G0/s400/IMG_4039.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515288609214989346" border="0" /></a><br />Woohoo! Today is my 100th post and in honor of this most exciting event I will be giving away a print of my apples watercolor. I know most bloggers hit 100 in a couple of months, it takes me almost three years, but slow and steady wins the race, right?...right?... Just comment on this post by next Friday the 17th and I will randomly select a winner!Elissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16534639582575019778noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-887422943144591940.post-22903069262539146562010-09-04T15:50:00.001-04:002010-09-04T15:55:18.434-04:00Some weekend fun<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Nc9xq-TVyHI?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Nc9xq-TVyHI?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />I hope this makes you smile as much as I did!Elissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16534639582575019778noreply@blogger.com0